Athletes insulting each other - bullying? harassment? Or just part of the game?

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This is also known as sledging, where one person targets another by insulting them, their familes, their ability to play the game, their race etc. People who do this deliberately target an area of anothers life where they are more sensitive. It is basically playing mind games with the intent of upsetting the other person so much that they can't perform at their best. If our children acted in this way on the playground they would be accused of bullying and there is at least some chance it would be dealt with. In the workforce this type of behaviour would be called harassment and again would be dealt with, but on the sports field they claim it is a legimate part of the game. I don't believe this. These athletes are supposed to be held up as role models for children. How can we possibly teach them values such as good sportsmanship if those who they admire most continue to act worse than children.